UTEP named National Team of the Week

For Immediate Release

Following their 58-41 upset win over No. 12 Houston, Texas-El Paso has been named the Southern Fans' National Team of the Week for games played over the Oct. 3 weekend.

A week after falling to Texas by 56 points, the Miners put up more points than they had all season against a Cougar team predicted to be a BCS at large after beating Big XII South members Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. Houston could not stop UTEP RB Donald Buckram, who thrashed the Cougar defense for 262 yards and four touchdowns.

Houston jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead just halfway through the first quarter, but UTEP stayed with the high-scoring Cougars, fighting back to tie the game 17-17 at halftime. From there, the Miners took control, outscoring the Cougars 41-24 in the second half despite Houston QB Case Keenum passing for 536 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. The game will probably be marked for it's conversion rate - as the teams combined for 68 first downs.

Other nominees for Southern Fans' National Team of the Week for the weekend of Oct. 3:

Miami
W - No. 9 Oklahoma, 21-20
Miami QB Jacory Harris fought back from a horrible start - throwing two interceptions on the Hurricanes two possessions - to lead Miami with three touchdown passes as the Canes beat their third ranked team this season.

No. 16 Auburn
W - Tennessee, 26-22
In a match-up a top-rated offense against a top-rated defense, it was the Auburn offense that controlled most of the game, as the Tigers had an almost perfectly balanced attack against the Volunteer defense, coached by renowned coordinator Monte Kiffin and led by S Eric Berry.

Virginia
W - North Carolina, 16-3
The Cavaliers finally broke into the win column as Virginia kept Butch Davis' Tar Heels out of the endzone for the first time this season. UVA kicker Robert Randolph kept booting the Cavs ahead with three field goals until the Virginia offense could ice the game with a Mikell Simpson touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.


The Southern Fans' Poll began naming a national team of the week in 2008. Members of the Southern Fan's pool of voters decide the weekly honor. Each week during the 2009 college football season, the Southern Fans will name the National Team of the Week through the bowl season.

2009 Southern Fans' National Teams of the Week
• Weekend of Sept. 5: William & Mary Tribe
• Weekend of Sept. 12: Houston Cougars
• Weekend of Sept. 19: Washington Huskies
• Weekend of Sept. 26: Virginia Tech Hokies
• Weekend of Oct. 3: Texas-El Paso Miners